Advanced Structures & Composites Center

Commitment To Maine and our Planet

The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) is a world-leading, interdisciplinary center for research, education, and economic development encompassing material sciences, advanced manufacturing, and engineering of composites and structures. Since its founding in 1996 with support from the National Science Foundation, the ASCC has financially sponsored more than 2,600 students, received 120 patents, welcomed over 30,000 visitors, created 14 spinoff companies, and honored with more than 40 national and international awards for research excellence. 

Housed in a 100,000 ft2 ISO-17025 accredited facility, the ASCC has become the largest university-based research center in Maine and among the fastest-growing research laboratories globally. The facility has expanded to include 13 integrated laboratories with more than 410 full and part-time personnel, including faculty, staff, and students. The Center pursues innovations that are meaningful to society by bringing together talented faculty, staff, and students from all corners of the UMaine campus. Enshrined in plaques in the Center’s lobby and conference rooms, the mottos “None of us is as smart as all of us” and “Students first” define our mode of operations.

The ASCC’s strategic plan, called GEM, focuses the Center’s work on Green Energy and Materials development. Through GEM, the Center is at the forefront of significant new sustainability industries in the nation. Our eight major research areas are Civil Infrastructure Durability, Advanced Wood Composites, Large-scale Bio-based Additive Manufacturing, Cellulose Nanocomposites, Advanced Structural Concepts, Structural Thermoplastics & Smart Materials, Ocean Engineering & Energy, and Structural, Material, & Wind Blade Testing. Innovations in GEM research and development position the Center to critically support the state’s ambitious efforts to be carbon neutral by 2045 and usher in a low-carbon economy.